In our parish, we pray for: Dorie & Agenhart, Frank Y., Ron M., Wayne, Heather, Erwin, John, Todd, Terry, Elaine, Tom, Sue, Kate, Sandee, Michael T., Nancy Y., Susan K., Katy & Eric, Sandy T.A., Larry T, Raj, Renu, Peggy, and Stanley Yon & Family, Eleu O & Ohana, TR, J Rohr, G. Livingston Jr., Jeff L, Schwegmann Family, Margot, Neil Jr., Mac, J Ingham, Masamitsu Ohana, John Alexander, Lora V.
AND all who struggle with illness and/or hardship.
Please contact the HNC office with any additional prayer requests
Aloha Hour Potluck to follow service! If you wish, bring a dish -- to share!
All are welcome!
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By The Reverend Jennifer Latham
This Sunday we will celebrate the close of Stewardship Season with a practice sometimes called Ingathering. Where does the concept of ingathering come from and how does it relate to the close of Stewardship?
In Exodus 23:16 the Lord says to Moses, “You shall observe the Festival of Harvest, of the first fruits of your labor, of what you sow in the field. You shall observe the Festival of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in from the field the fruit of your labor.” God instructs Moses and the people about Godʻs expectations for their life together, starting with the Ten Commandments and continuing on with laws that govern the community. God asks for the Israelites to observe the Festival of Harvest and the Festival of Ingathering so that they will recognize the gifts that God has provided, both in the work of the harvest and in the work of the bringing in and storing of the harvest. They are to give of the first fruits of their work to show that their first focus is always thanksgiving to God.
We, ourselves, are harvesting an abundance of gifts this year: anticipation of the 75th Anniversary celebrations, restarting of our Sunday School last February and resumption of Family Services with Dr. Cat and the HNSingers, gathering together to sing and worship (without masks), a HUGE Fall Festival, the Malama Maunalua huki, and all of the other ways we experience Godʻs goodness as church.
On Sunday we will celebrate our own Ingathering, and will acknowledge our gratitude for what God has provided for us as a community and as individuals. As part of that recognition, we will give God thanks for the donations of food and funds to help the Food Vault at UH Mānoa. We will also take action by making bags of provisions for those in need who we encounter as we go out into the world doing the work God has given us.
Thank you for joining with us to celebrate; I am so thankful for each member of our community who brings their own unique gifts that make Holy Nativity Church what it is.
Mahalo!
Rev. Jenn+
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Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service
at HNC
Monday, Nov. 21 at 7pm
All are welcome!
(Zoom and In-person)
Please join members and clergy from several East Honolulu parishes, including Calvary Lutheran Church (ELCA), The United Church of Christ in Hawaii Kai and Kilohana Methodist Church in Niu Valley.
Mahalo to Pastor Bob Isip from Kilohana for his work in coordinating the worship service and to Holy Nativity staff and the musicians in these several congregations who will be lending their voices to this event.